Tree hyrax

Tree hyrax
Tree hyraxes[1]
Western Tree Hyrax, Dendrohyrax dorsalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Eutheria
Superorder: Afrotheria
Order: Hyracoidea
Family: Procaviidae
Genus: Dendrohyrax
Gray, 1868
Species
  • Dendrohyrax arboreus
  • Dendrohyrax dorsalis

The tree hyraxes or tree dassies are the two species in the genus Dendrohyrax. They are mammals in the Procaviidae family (the only living family within the Order Hyracoidea) . The two species are:

  • Eastern Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax arboreus), found in East and Southern Africa[2]
  • Western Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis), found in West and Central Africa[3]

The tree hyrax is a small nocturnal mammal that is related to elephants and aadvarks. They have 4-toed front feet and 3-toed back feet with rounded nails, and rubbery soles that help them climb[4].

The previously recognized Dendrohyrax validus is included in Dendrohyrax arboreus until detailed taxonomic research is conducted.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Shoshani, Jeheskel (16 November 2005). Wilson, Don E., and Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). pp. 87-88. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=11400003. 
  2. ^ Barry, R., Bloomer, P., Hoeck, H. & Shoshani, H. (2008). Dendrohyrax arboreus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 27 May 2010.
  3. ^ Barry, R., Bloomer, P., Hoeck, H. & Shoshani, H. (2008). Dendrohyrax dorsalis. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 27 May 2010.
  4. ^ Estes, Richard D. (1999). The Safari Companion. Chelsea Green Publishing Company. ISBN 1890132446.